Prattville Christian falls in the third round of the 2024 AHSAA baseball playoffs

Prattville Christian Baseball fell short in the third round of the 2024 AHSAA in a 2-0 series sweep against Providence Christian on Thursday. After an 11-3 game one defeat, the Panthers left 10 runners on base in a 3-1 game two defeat ending its season.

Head coach Tommy Goodson called the defeat disappointing, but was grateful to see his team advance all the way to the third round.

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"A lot of teams we thought were going to make it as far as us didn't," said Goodson, whose squad ended the year at 24-12. "We went into the game with our best pitcher and their best pitcher. Providence Christian outplayed us, and they hit the baseball very well and got some timely hits."

"They outplayed us and just flat out beat us. We had the second game to play, and we were in it with several opportunities to get ahead. Unfortunately, we fell short, and they held on to it at the end of it."

Senior Pitcher Parker Blake entered the matchup with 60 strikeouts in the last two years of postseason play for the Panthers. He finished with three strikeouts in game one of the series as he gave up 11 hits, eight runs and seven earned runs.

Despite not having the best outing, Goodman said in Parker's four years that's the only game he's had like that.

"Parker was our leader. He threw every first game and every important contest for us," Goodman said. "Unfortunately, they got the hits and we fell behind early. To save his pitch count we pulled him to keep him ready for the second game. ... But, we never did need him in the second game as our No. 2 guy came in and did a tremendous job."

"We didn't get everybody going when we needed to do. But Parker was that player for us that kept us going in the right direction all season. He hit well and we always trusted him on the mound for us."

Sophomore Blake Bowman finished with six strikeouts game two, giving up three runs and one earned run. He will make up a returning class that includes six starters next year for the Panthers.

"Parker will be our only starter not returning. I told our guys after the game that this needs to be a norm for us," Goodman said. "We feel good about what's coming to us in the future. A few guys this year had some troubles this year and did not step up as much as we wanted them to. We have a good plan this offseason to get them ready and we plan on being right back here next season."

The 2024 AHSAA baseball playoffs continue with semifinals May 10-11 and the state tournament will be May 13-18 in Oxford & Jacksonville.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Prattville Christian falls in the third round of the 2024 AHSAA baseball playoffs